Colts' Irsay: Luck can be 'one of the greatest players to play the game'

Andrew Luck hasn't played football since Week 17 of the 2016 season, but Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay believes his quarterback can be an all-time great upon his return.

"I think he has a chance to be one of the greatest players to play the game going forward," Irsay told reporters Friday, according to ESPN's Mike Wells. "Turning 29 during the season and moving forward for the next 10 years, I really do. He is a special guy in a number of ways."

The former No. 1 overall pick resumed throwing in mid-June after missing all of last year with a shoulder injury stemming from a 2017 surgery. He has stated he will "absolutely" play in Week 1 of the upcoming regular season.

Luck hasn't suffered any setbacks in training camp thus far, and head coach Frank Reich anticipates his star pivot playing 'a little bit more' than normal in the team's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks Thursday.

Any quarterback returning from a 19-month layoff faces an uphill battle in their return to the field, but Irsay knows Luck is no ordinary player.

"Colts fans should feel fortunate they are to have a guy as gifted as he is because he has a fire burning deep in his heart and his soul to win and to really kick some butt deep inside of him," Irsay said. "That's what you look for. That is what you want in guys like that, who have that yearning. He loves to play football and would play it for free, and he is excited about going out and proving just how great he can be."

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